Embers

The Abbot of the monastery gave me this idea.  Our spiritual self is like a stove that has a fire in it to warm us.  When we are at a place of low energy, feeling down, and listless, that fire is but embers flickering.  They need attention.  Prayer is when the breath of Spirit blows on the embers and kindles them into a little flame.  Now we can add some fuel, and have that interior warmth that gives us peace and comfort.  What might that fuel be?  It could be more meditation, a book, talking to a friend, listening to, or looking at nature, and such things that feed our innards.  Abandon your spiritual center and the world will appear to be a cold place.